Purpose: To make faithful disciples of Jesus Christ

Objectives:

To develop a personal relationship and commitment to the Lord.

To enable students to make a public profession of faith on Confirmation Sunday.

To provide biblical knowledge sufficient for understanding God’s Word in public and private use.

To create mature, active members of Christ’s Church.

To develop the skills and habits essential for faithful discipleship. Including:

-Regular attendance at worship

-Daily prayer

-Regular Bible reading

-Christian service to others

-Ability to trust God for guidance and help in daily life

REQUIREMENTS

Classes – Unlike most confirmation programs, there is no single course that all students must attend week-in and week-out. Instead, short 4 to 5 week classes will be offered throughout the school year. With the larger pool of students enrolled in confirmation, enrollment may be limited for some classes. The classes will vary widely in topics from studies on books of the Bible to Christian perspectives on dating and money. Students will be required to take a few classes from each of our three categories (Bible stuff, Real life, and Big issues), but there will also be “elective” slots open for students to fill in the rest of their schedule with classes that appeal to them.

Attendance and participation are required in all regularly scheduled classes for at least 11 courses while a student is in the confirmation process (either Sundays at 8:30-9:30 a.m. or Wednesdays at 7:00-8:15 p.m.). Classes begin October 21 & 25. Missed classes will require make up work to be determined by your course instructor. You must be on time and bring your Bible for each class. Please refer to the confirmation transcript for required courses and category requirements. Refer to the course schedule for upcoming courses and times.

As part of your growth through the confirmation process, a certain amount of respect and attentiveness is required while you are participating in the classroom. If a teacher feels that any student is not capable of engaging in a particular course because of behavioral issues, he or she is permitted to contact parents and take action to change that behavior and make up for poor involvement. In extreme cases, the teacher is also allowed to deny that student credit for a course. In order to claim credit toward confirmation for a particular course, you must turn in a course reflection form and submit it in the drop box across the hall from the copy room.

Christian service – Through most of the confirmation process, the only service requirement will be for students to do 3 “acts of Christian service” throughout each year they are in confirmation. These acts have no hourly requirement, only that they be done without payment and that they not be something the student has to do anyway (like taking out the trash). This year, students will have to fill out a Christian service reflection form to get credit for their act of service, so that they will be more likely to process the spiritual implications of their service to others.

The major change in this area is that every student will be required to complete a “Project 2:14” before they are confirmed. The title comes from James 2:14 which reads, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” Like this scripture says, our actions are proof of a living faith in our lives. Each student will have to propose an original service or ministry project and follow through with it with the help of a supervisor. This should be a great opportunity for youth to explore their creativity and accomplish some really great stuff for God. Click here for requirements and forms.

Formation – Christian Formation is the practice of experiencing God through worship, prayer, and community. Students will now get credit toward confirmation when they are active members of Solid Rock Singers, B-squad youth group, or go to other retreats like UMYs and JUMYs. There’s even room to make up your own options like reading through the Bible or having your own personal prayer time. For those with tight schedules, you can even supplement this area with extra worship attendance. Please fill out a formation reflection form and put it in the drop box to gain credit for any of these activities.

Students are required to attend at least 60 worship services between the time of enrollment and the end of the confirmation process. Each week fill out a worship notes form and have it signed by a staff member or usher if at ReJoyce UMC Coon Rapids/Andover. If you attend another church one week for some reason, submit an unsigned bulletin. Please fill out a worship notes form to the best of your ability at a later time and staple it to your bulletin. If the church you visit does not have bulletins, please provide a signed note by a parent. Please fill out a worship notes form to the best of your ability at a later time and submit it attached to your parent note.

Students planning on being confirmed this spring must attend the Confirmation retreat on April 16-17of 2010 so that they can begin writing their faith statements. Please know that this is a required event where Pator Mark, Cullen, and the Confirmation teachers are able to coach the students through much of the writing process. Please mark these dates on your calendar and keep them open to the best of your ability. Notify Cullen as soon as you realize an irreconcilable schedule conflict with the confirmation retreat. Starting next year, we will also be offering a retreat each fall for students who are not in their final year of confirmation. Students must attend one of these retreats, as required on their transcripts.

The Faith Statement is the culmination of the confirmation process. It is the opportunity for students to express what God has done and what God is doing in their lives. Upon their completion, Faith Statements are compiled and published in a booklet on confirmation Sunday. If your student has learning disabilities that make expressing him or herself in writing, please let Cullen or a teacher know so that we can make proper accommodations.

SUBMIT ALL REFLECTION FORMS AND WORSHIP NOTES IN THE CONFIRMATION DROP BOX IN THE HALLWAY NEAR THE REFLECTION FORMS.

This is a two to four year program. All those who have completed the requirements outlined on the transcript form may be confirmed on May 23, 2010. However, only those who are ready to make a profession of faith in Christ and a commitment to be a mature follower of the Lord should take part in that Confirmation service. Those who are not ready or able to make such a commitment should postpone their Confirmation day.